Waka Kotahi and local authorities are making safety improvements to contribute towards a safe transport system that is forgiving of mistakes, and reduces unnecessary harm on our roads.
Below are some examples of road safety improvements made across the country to save lives and prevent serious injuries on our roads.
In 2021, Waka Kotahi partnered with Timaru Council to workshop what safety improvements could be installed to reduce risk on the road. This resulted in the $2 million rural roundabout being installed.
Blackhead Road in Dunedin is now safer thanks to the $1.635 million invested in safe system treatments to reduce risk at two intersections.
In 2018, Waka Kotahi and Tasman District Council lowered speeds on State Highway 60 (known as the Appleby Highway) and nine neighbouring local roads to improve safety. Two years on and safer speeds are saving lives.
Flexible median barriers, safer speed limit, improved signs and markings were just some of the interventions installed on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Centennial Highway to reduce the number of people being killed and seriously injured on this road.
In 2019, Auckland Transport installed a roundabout at the Church and Victoria Street intersection to reduce the number of collisions and injuries.
In partnership with Waka Kotahi, the Hamilton City Council installed the first approach raised safety platforms in New Zealand to improve safety at the Gordonton Road intersection.
The Kaukapakapa community told Waka Kotahi vehicle speeds outside the Kaukapakapa School felt too high, and students didn’t feel safe getting to and from school. By installing a variable speed limit, this road is now safer for children outside this school.
The popular tourist town of Burkes Pass sees thousands of tourists passing through each year. In September 2020, the decision was made to reduce the speed limit from 80km/h to 60km/h to improve safety for all road users.
Tasman District Council, Nelson City Council, Waka Kotahi and the local Countdown supermarket partnered to improve the efficiency and safety of the Champion/Salisbury Road roundabout in Tasman.
